Case: Boudlal v. Disney

8:12-cv-01306 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: Aug. 13, 2012

Closed Date: March 3, 2014

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In August 2012, a 28 year old female plaintiff, a naturalized United State citizen of Moroccan origin and an adherent of the Muslim faith, brought this suit against Walt Disney Company in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The suit was brought under title VII of 42 U.S.C § 2000e (discrimination and harassment in employment on the basis of religion, national origin and color and failure to remedy and prevent harassment), and the California Fair Employment and Housin…

In August 2012, a 28 year old female plaintiff, a naturalized United State citizen of Moroccan origin and an adherent of the Muslim faith, brought this suit against Walt Disney Company in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The suit was brought under title VII of 42 U.S.C § 2000e (discrimination and harassment in employment on the basis of religion, national origin and color and failure to remedy and prevent harassment), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, etc. In this case, it is alleged that Disney discharged the plaintiff who worked as a hostess at a cafe in a complex operated by Disney because she complained about repeated ethnic and religious slurs from her colleagues and also wore a hijab for her sincere religious faith. The plaintiff asked for: (a) a declaration that Disney's actions constitute illegal harassment and discrimination; (b) an order enjoining Disney from enforcing its policy or practice of prohibiting employees who are adherents of the Muslim faith from wearing hijab while in positions involving interaction with customers unless such hijabs are concealed by a hat or other object; (c) training of Disney employees and managers regarding harassment and discrimination; and (d) damages.

The allegation states that the plaintiff began working as a hostess at the Storytellers Cafe in the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, a part of Walt Disney complex in Anaheim, California. During her work, she suffered from repeated slurs, e.g. "terrorist", "camel", and "Kunta Kinte," the slave from the famous book Roots by Alex Haley. Her co-workers also mocked her by stating that Arabs are terrorists, that she speaks the terrorist language and that she was trained to make bombs. She repeatedly reported the harassment to her managers but they never took action.

In 2010, after two years of working at Disney, she began wearing a hijab permanently in accord with her religious beliefs. She asked her supervisors for permission, but they denied it since it would violate Disney's "look" policy. Disney suggested that she either (1) work in the rear of the restaurant where she would not be exposed to customers, or (2) wear several hats on top of her hijab. She refused and Disney discharged her from further employment.

On March 3, 2014, the parties submitted a joint stipulation to dismiss the case, and the court issued an order granting a stipulation to dismiss the case with prejudice.

Summary Authors

Kowa Takata (10/28/2014)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4148907/parties/imane-boudlal-v-walt-disney-corporation/


Judge(s)

Carter, David O. (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Jones, Donald Reginald (Mississippi)

Richardson, Anne (California)

Rosenbaum, Mark Dale (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Davis, Felicia A. (California)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

8:12-cv-01306

Docket (PACER)

Imane Boudlal v. Walt Disney Corporation et al

March 3, 2014

March 3, 2014

Docket
1

8:12-cv-01306

Complaint for Damages

Imane Boudlal v. Walt Disney Corporation et al

Aug. 13, 2012

Aug. 13, 2012

Complaint
7

8:12-cv-01306

First Amended Complaint For Damages

Boudlal v. Walt Disney Corp.

Sept. 13, 2012

Sept. 13, 2012

Complaint
36

8:12-cv-01306

Order To Dismiss Action With Prejudice

Imane Boudlal v. Walt Disney Corporation et al

March 3, 2014

March 3, 2014

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4148907/imane-boudlal-v-walt-disney-corporation/

Last updated Jan. 27, 2024, 3:09 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against defendants Does, Walt Disney Corporation. Case assigned to Judge David O. Carter for all further proceedings. Discovery referred to Magistrate Judge Arthur Nakazato.(Filing fee $ 350 Fee Paid) Jury Demanded, filed by plaintiff Imane Boudlal.(dg) (dg). (Entered: 08/15/2012)

Aug. 13, 2012

Aug. 13, 2012

PACER
2

CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE of Interested Parties filed by plaintiff Imane Boudlal, (dg) (dg). (Entered: 08/15/2012)

Aug. 13, 2012

Aug. 13, 2012

PACER
3

NOTICE TO PARTIES OF COURT-DIRECTED ADR PROGRAM filed.(dg) (Entered: 08/15/2012)

Aug. 13, 2012

Aug. 13, 2012

PACER
4

PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff Imane Boudlal, upon Defendant Walt Disney Corporation served on 8/15/2012, answer due 9/5/2012. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon Marsha L. Reed, Vice President - Governance Administration and Assistant Secretary in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by service on a domestic corporation, unincorporated association, or public entity. Original Summons returned. (Richardson, Anne) (Entered: 08/22/2012)

Aug. 22, 2012

Aug. 22, 2012

PACER
5

Joint STIPULATION for Extension of Time to File Response to Initial Complaint filed by Defendant Walt Disney Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Davis, Felicia) (Entered: 09/05/2012)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Sept. 5, 2012

Sept. 5, 2012

PACER
6

ORDER by Judge David O. Carter: Granting Stipulation Extending Time for Defendant Walt Disney Corporation to Respond to Initial Complaint to Permit Plaintiff to File an Amended Complaint 5 . Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. shall have twenty-one (21) days from the date of service of Plaintiff's Amended Complaint to answer, plead or otherwise respond to the Amended Complaint. (mt) (Entered: 09/07/2012)

Sept. 6, 2012

Sept. 6, 2012

PACER
7

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT against defendants Does 1-10, The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc; Party Walt Disney Corporation terminated. Amending Complaint - (Discovery 1 ; filed by plaintiff Imane Boudlal (rla) (Additional attachment(s) added on 9/17/2012: # 1 SUMMONS ISSUED) (rla). (Entered: 09/17/2012)

1 SUMMONS ISSUED

View on PACER

Sept. 13, 2012

Sept. 13, 2012

PACER
8

AMENDED CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE of Interested Parties ; filed by plaintiff Imane Boudlal, (rla) Modified on 9/17/2012 (rla). Modified on 9/17/2012 (rla). (Entered: 09/17/2012)

Sept. 13, 2012

Sept. 13, 2012

PACER
9

ANSWER to Amended Complaint, 7 filed by Defendant Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc.(Davis, Felicia) (Entered: 10/03/2012)

Oct. 3, 2012

Oct. 3, 2012

PACER
10

ANSWER to Amended Complaint, 7 filed by Defendant The Walt Disney Company.(Davis, Felicia) (Entered: 10/03/2012)

Oct. 3, 2012

Oct. 3, 2012

PACER
11

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by Defendant Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc (Davis, Felicia) (Entered: 10/03/2012)

Oct. 3, 2012

Oct. 3, 2012

PACER
12

Certification and Notice of Interested Parties filed by Defendant Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc, identifying The Walt Disney Company (Defendant) and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. (Defendant). (Davis, Felicia) (Entered: 10/03/2012)

Oct. 3, 2012

Oct. 3, 2012

PACER
13

Certification and Notice of Interested Parties filed by Defendant The Walt Disney Company, identifying The Walt Disney Company (Defendant) and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. (Defendant). (Davis, Felicia) (Entered: 10/03/2012)

Oct. 3, 2012

Oct. 3, 2012

PACER
14

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by Defendant The Walt Disney Company (Davis, Felicia) (Entered: 10/03/2012)

Oct. 3, 2012

Oct. 3, 2012

PACER
15

SCHEDULING NOTICE by Judge David O. Carter. The Scheduling Conference previously scheduled for 11/19/12 8:30 AM has been rescheduled. The Scheduling Conference is reset to 12/3/2012 8:30 AM before Judge David O. Carter. All lead counsel are ordered to be present. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY.(jba) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 11/13/2012)

Nov. 13, 2012

Nov. 13, 2012

PACER
16

SCHEDULING NOTICE by Judge David O. Carter. The Scheduling Conference previously scheduled for 12/3/12 at 8:30 a.m. has been VACATED. Court notes Order Setting Scheduling Conference was not issued. Court to issue Order Setting Scheduling Conference forthwith. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY.(jba) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 11/13/2012)

Nov. 13, 2012

Nov. 13, 2012

PACER
17

ORDER SETTING SCHEDULING CONFERENCE by Judge David O. Carter. READ IMMEDIATELY. ( Scheduling Conference set for 2/4/2013 08:30 AM before Judge David O. Carter.) (twdb) (Entered: 11/13/2012)

Nov. 13, 2012

Nov. 13, 2012

RECAP
18

REQUEST for ADR Procedure No. 3. Parties request for private mediation. Filed by Defendants The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc(Davis, Felicia) (Entered: 01/11/2013)

Jan. 11, 2013

Jan. 11, 2013

PACER
19

JOINT REPORT Rule 26(f) Discovery Plan Report of Early Meeting of Counsel ; estimated length of trial 6 days, filed by Defendants The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc.. (Davis, Felicia) (Entered: 01/11/2013)

Jan. 11, 2013

Jan. 11, 2013

PACER
20

Joint STIPULATION to Continue Scheduling Conference from February 4, 2013 to February 11, 2013 Re: Order, Set/Reset Hearing 17 filed by Defendant The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Davis, Felicia) (Entered: 01/11/2013)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Jan. 11, 2013

Jan. 11, 2013

PACER
21

ORDER by Judge David O. Carter, granting Stipulation to Continue 20 . ( Scheduling Conference reset for 2/11/2013 08:30 AM before Judge David O. Carter.) (twdb) (Entered: 01/24/2013)

Jan. 23, 2013

Jan. 23, 2013

PACER
22

Joint STIPULATION to Continue Scheduling Conference from February 11, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. to March 4, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. filed by Plaintiff Imane Boudlal. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Richardson, Anne) (Entered: 02/04/2013)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Feb. 4, 2013

Feb. 4, 2013

PACER
23

ORDER by Judge David O. Carter, TO CONTINUE SCHEDULING CONFERENCE: re Stipulation to Continue 22 Scheduling Conference reset for 3/4/2013 08:30 AM. (rla) (Entered: 02/05/2013)

Feb. 5, 2013

Feb. 5, 2013

PACER
24

Joint STIPULATION for Protective Order filed by Defendant The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Protective Order)(Davis, Felicia) (Entered: 02/15/2013)

1 Proposed Protective Order

View on PACER

Feb. 15, 2013

Feb. 15, 2013

PACER
25

MINUTE ORDER IN CHAMBERS by Magistrate Judge Arthur Nakazato. Re: Joint Stipulation and [Proposed] Protective Order Regarding Confidential Information 24 and Proposed Order thereon. Rulings: For the reasons discussed below, the Court declines to issue the Proposed Order as drafted. (See attached for details.) (mt) (Entered: 02/21/2013)

Feb. 21, 2013

Feb. 21, 2013

PACER
26

Joint STIPULATION for Order Regarding the Designation and Handling of Confidential Information filed by Defendants The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Davis, Felicia) (Entered: 02/27/2013)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Feb. 27, 2013

Feb. 27, 2013

PACER
27

MINUTE ORDER IN CHAMBERS by Judge David O. Carter, RE: SCHEDULING CONFERENCE DEADLINES AND HEARING DATES: The Court sets the following case management dates: Discovery Cut Off - 10-18-2013; Expert Discovery Cut Off - 12-16-2013; Motion Cut Off - 12-02-2013 at 8:30 a.m.; Final Pre Trial Conference - 02-03-2014 at 8:30 a.m.; Jury Trial - 02-18-2014 at 8:30 a.m. (Est:4 days). Counsel advised that the motion cut-off is the day the Court will hear all dispositive motions. Counsel are to adhere to the Local Rules and work backwards from their motion cut-off date for filing of their motion related documents. Per Rule 26(f) Report, counsel inform the Court that their selection for a settlement procedure pursuant to Local Rule 16-15.4 is private mediation. Settlement procedure to be completed no later than January 13, 2014. Pretrial Scheduling Order signed and filed this date. Any unserved Does/Roes are dismissed at this time. The Scheduling Conference set on March 4, 2013 is removed from the Court's calendar. (rla) (Entered: 02/28/2013)

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

PACER
28

SCHEDULING ORDER by Judge David O. Carter, 1. SETTING DISCOVERY CUT-OFF DATE: 10-18-13; 2. MOTION CUT-OFF DATE: 12-02-13; 3. SETTING FINAL PRETRIAL CONFERENCE: 02-03-14 (at 8:30 a.m.); 4. SETTING TRIAL DATE: 02-18-14 (at 8:30 a.m.). This Pretrial Scheduling Order governs the course of all pretrial proceedings in this case. For further guidance, consult the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules. (See document for further details.) (rla) (Entered: 02/28/2013)

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

PACER
29

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Arthur Nakazato, ADOPTING PARTIES' JOINT STIPULATION AGREEMENT RE THE DESIGNATION AND HANDLING OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: re Stipulation for Order 26 . (See document for details.) (rla) (Entered: 03/06/2013)

March 5, 2013

March 5, 2013

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 13, 2012

Closing Date: March 3, 2014

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiff is an individual, naturalized United States citizen of Moroccan origin and an adherent o the Muslim faith.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU of Southern California

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Walt Disney Corporation (Burbank, Los Angeles), Private Entity/Person

Defendant Type(s):

Parks

Retailer

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

State Anti-Discrimination Law

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Unknown

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Form of Settlement:

Voluntary Dismissal

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Other Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc)

Discrimination-basis:

National origin discrimination

Religion discrimination

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female

National Origin/Ethnicity:

Arab/Afgani/Middle Eastern